Weeley OB in Essex has been found by brothers Gary and Mark Binden. They are both interested in WW1 & WW2 fortifications & regularly travel up & down the country tracking down & photographing them.

As Weeley is on their doorstep they were determined to find it, so after several trips to the woods & a lot of research they have tracked it down.

Only half remains but they have kindly shared their findings with us.

We know who would have used this base but can anyone help us learn more?

Sgt Roger Weeley, who lived in Edgewood House, Weeley Heath

Cpl Joseph J Webb

Cpl Basil G Deeks

Pte George F Wallace

Pte Reginald T Bruce

Pte Edward D Piper

Pte Frederick E Martin

Known as “Squire” Weeley, Roger shocked interviewer Ivan Cutting in 1986 when he revealed his wartime role.

Recruited directly by Andrew Croft, who had only just returned from Norway, he was telephoned on a Sunday to recruit 6 men to form the Patrol by Wednesday. They were soon issued with 2-3 hundred weight of explosives which were stored in small dumps, one in the Squire’s pigsty. In return for a couple of rabbits they “borrowed” a local digger to dig out for their OB and created an entrance through a old holly tree.

The patrol tested the local military defences many times and were always successful.

Thanks to all those who stopped by the CART display at the excellent Haselbury MillWW2 event near Crewkerne on Father’s Day. It was a great day with lots of interest and lots of leads in the South West and also Worcestershire.

From our Devon researcher, Nina: “Though the weather could have been warmer it was a busy show and well attended. We talked to a lot of people about Auxiliary Units, many hearing about them for the first time. We were also given an amazing 10 leads on OB sites in Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Worcestershire. Going to be a busy rest of year hunting for those ! Many thanks gents. Chips were great too !”

Coleshill House (SN6 7PT) was the hush-hush headquarters of Churchill’s Secret Army, or the Auxiliers. Discover the detailed history of their training and visit some of the remaining Second World War features around the village, including the Guard House and the original prototype underground training bunker or Operational Base (OB). Plus, check out the newly built and refurbished replica “funk hole” and see the new display of artifacts including a rare copy of a Stand-Down letter.

France 1944 – Operation Bulbasket was largely an ex-Aux Units Operation, with some ex-desert SAS, and a few other new recruits. Dorset, Norfolk and Scotland Aux Units provided the bulk of the men.

A small group from the local Royal British Legion Poitou-Charentes branch in France are recreating the cycle ride undertaken by Lt Tomos Stephens as part of Op Bulbasket in 1944. Disguised as a Frenchman and riding a pre-war pushbike, he rode from Sazas near Montromillion to the railway marshalling yard at Chatellerault to gather information about fuel tankers stored there. It was a 120km (75 mile) round trip in a single day, an incredible feat. The intelligence was supplied to the RAF who bombed the fuel stored at the railway yard, significantly slowing the 2nd SS Das Reich Panzer Division who lacked enough fuel for their move north towards Normandy. Sadly Lt Stephens was shot after capture, having given himself up so a young maquisard could escape, hoping that his uniform would mean he would become a prisoner, whereas the Maquis were always executed. That young man witnessed Lt Stephens death from his hiding place (and recorded this a few years ago – the story differing from that given by the Bulbasket survivors who were told third hand he had been beaten to death). Lt Stephens was buried in a family vault in nearby Verriéres.

The ride is on Sunday June 10th this year. You can help by sponsoring them through their JustGiving page. This branch funded the erection of memorials at the St Sauvant and Verriéres sites in recent years. They also provide the standard bearers for ceremonies at Rom and Verriéres each year.

CART will be at the Castletown D-Day Centre, Portland, Dorset (DT5 1DB), on Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th April, 2018. This is part of their Living History weekend, a very ‘hands on’ experience. Includes military vehicles, weapons displays and much more.. http://www.castletownddaycentre.com/

This is a new fixture and one that we hope will become a regular event. Pop by & say hi.

Their training was carried out by regular army soldiers based at Framlingham, including Capt Hoberton, Sgt Barry and four privates. They learnt about setting booby traps and how to move about without being seen. Victor also remembered training with grenades at GHQ Coleshill.

We are saddened to report the untimely death of Jack Northover before Christmas.

Jack was the last surviving member of the Wrackleford Patrol near Dorchester, Dorset. His father and brother were also involved in the Patrol. An Aux Memorial Plaque was unveiled in the village of Stratton in May 2017 attended by Jack in good health.

Jack said: “I am honoured that what we have done is being remembered in this way. I appreciate the number of people turned up. It means everything to us to be recognised like this.”

According to Jack, the aerodrome at Woodsford, RAF Warmwell, was a target. During an exercise, he and other Auxiliers crawled across the airfield in the dark, past the guards. They attached tags to the planes, all fighters, to show they were “hit”. The CO was so mad, that he cancelled all passes for a week!

Our condolences to his family.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

CART will be at the West Somerset Steam Railway on Sunday 25th March, 2018 at Minehead Station (TA24 5BG). This is part of their Spring Gala, and new Military event (22nd – 25th March). This event also includes a genuine WW2 military steam train with military vehicles on WD flat and box wagons (a rare thing to see), as well as military vehicles at Minehead, and other displays / stands on the station platform. http://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/